WATERBORO —The “Milk Room Mustangs” from Shaker Valley Little League were recently selected through an Internet drawing to appear on the Boston Red Sox pre-game show, “Red Sox Game Day Live”, with hosts Tom Caron and Jim Rice.

The show aired live at noon on July 19 and excerpts can be viewed at NESN’s website. The players were treated to a lunch, asked Jim Rice about playing ball, and received autograph pictures from Caron and Rice.

The surprise special guest was “Slugger” from the Portland Seadogs, who kept the players and coaches loose with antics during off-air time. After the television show the Little League team went to Fenway Park and went on a tour of the stadium, courtesy of former Shaker Valley Little League president John Medici.

The Mustangs are sponsored by the Milk Room convenience store in Waterboro and players range in age from 5 to 8 years old.

This is the second year the three coaches have worked together and they were already impressed by the players’ improvements and love for the game. Every player has improved with their throwing, catching, hitting, and base running skills and should be proud of their season.

Coach Knowles said, “This was a very special opportunity, not just to be on a live Red Sox pre-game television show, but to combine that experience with meeting Jim Rice a week before he is inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame made this a memorable experience for players, parents, and coaches alike.

"This is also the same week that the Red Sox announced they will be retiring Rice’s jersey and number 14 will now be hung alongside the likes of Carl Yazstremski and Ted Williams.”

The coaches are all hoping to return next year and coach the team, but the experience leaves them scratching heads as to how they will top this year’s summer memories.